Dr. Joyce Vance
Founder & Executive Director.
I have served in numerous capacities at various churches: as an usher, choir member, Assistant Chair of the Trustee Board, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, Director of Children's Church School, Director of Vacation Bible School, Director of Visitation, Christian Education Board member, and Children's Church School teacher. I was ordained in September 2019 and am currently an associate minister and Director of Ministry Development at Greater Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church.
As Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, I coordinated classes for children and adults, assigned teachers, and selected teaching material. As Director of Children's Ministry, I developed a Children's Church School Program and Vacation Bible Camp. I was responsible for selecting and training teachers, selecting teaching materials, coordinating class schedules, coordinating menus with the Culinary Ministry, and managing registration. As Director of Ministry Development, I ensure that children receive every opportunity to participate in worship services, fellowship, outreach, and other activities. Children, like adults, have spiritual gifts, skills, and talents that the church needs, and the church is responsible for discipling children.
Educationally, I earned a Doctor of Ministry and Master of Arts in Church Ministries from St. Mary's Seminary & University Ecumenical Institute in 2023 and 2016, respectively, a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Arlington Bible College in 2005, a Master of Business Administration in 1996, and a Bachelor of Science in 1990 from University of Baltimore.
Professionally, I retired in 2017 with forty years in the banking industry. The experience I gained in my roles at various churches, my banking career, and my passion for seeing children thrive in ministry prepared me to revitalize the Children's Ministry at Greater Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church. When I conducted my ministry project for the Doctor of Ministry Program, my ministry project was to determine what makes a children's ministry exciting and spiritually enriching so children will want to attend church and participate more fully in the church's life. Children's ministry is not just about building programs for children to have fun so their parents can attend worship service without being interrupted by their children. Children's ministry should offer children and their families something meaningful, purposeful, enriching, and an opportunity to deepen their relationship with God and the church community.
A children's ministry allows children to participate actively in the church. The church is responsible for providing opportunities for children to be ministered to and opportunities for them to minister to others.
Every ministry should be based on Scripture. When looking at a children's ministry, it is crucial to consider what God says about the role of children so that such a ministry aligns with how God sees children. For example, Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray."
Yvonne Stepney
Director of Operations
As Director of Operations, Minister Yvonne Stepney works closely with Executive Director, Dr. Vance, to serve the children of our partner churches. Min. Stepney is a proven ministry partner with over 12 years of experience in various ministry leadership capacities. Min Stepney has served Greater Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland under the leadership of Dr. Reginald Thomas, Sr.
Complementing Min Stepney’s commitment to ministry service and leadership is an impressive professional career. With a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Ethics from Sojourner-Douglas College, Min. Stepney has 30 years in Human Resources Management. Additionally, Min. Stepney has a master’s degree from The Baltimore School of the Bible. Min Stepney is currently matriculating at the University of Phoenix.
Yvonne Stepney has been married to her best friend for 12 years! They enjoy family time, theatre, and truly proud of their children Bria, Brendon and Derriq, adorable glam-babies Amari and Alayna!
Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Favorite Quote: Don’t just be a manager, be a leader by helping others become successful!!!
Min Stepney wants to work with you and your ministry to strengthen the youth engagement at your church. Our services will cost you nothing. Choose a time and duration that works best for you. You may email Min. Yvonne Stepney or Dr Joyce Vance directly or use our contact page. Let’s find out if partnering with Advancing Children in Ministry is right for you.
Lady Stephanie Thomas
Disability Support Director
As ACM’s Disability Support Director, Lady Stephanie Thomas monitors our accessibility with respect to programs implemented for its children. It is important to ACM that all children have an opportunity to serve. Lady Thomas will ensure that your church makes space for disability support. A significant part of Lady Thomas’s identity is creating spaces that make children of varying capabilities find where they can serve the church. Lady Thomas is the First Lady of The Greater Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
Professionally, Lady Thomas has enjoyed an independent, entrepreneurial career as a licensed Maryland Realtor and certified life coach. Lady Thomas has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in marketing from Strayer University. Lady Thomas later earned her master’s in Business Management and Leadership from Strayer University. Additionally, Lady Thomas holds a senior certification in Human Resources. Lady Thomas is an advocate for children and adults with learning differences. Lady Thomas serves on the board for Urban Life Solutions in Baltimore. Lady Thomas has been honored to speak at the behest of numerous organizations to offer encouragement and direction to attendees.
Lady Thomas will be sure the ACM Team can meet the needs of every child. When you reach out to Dr. Joyce Vance or Min. Yvonne Stepney to see if partnering with ACM will work for you, you will know that we have the resources to ensure that every child is engaged and ways to serve will be identified.
Nico Gittings Critcher
Chief Financial Officer
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